of course, that leaves open the possibility that they might reserve the right to use them if they are attacked from abroad. it is important to mention this is not the first time that we hear the obama administration's aid that the use of chemical weapons by syria would be -- the obama administration say that the use of chemical weapons by syria would be a mistake. government were to fall, what might happen to those chemical weapons? >> that is a real concern. beyond worrying that the assad government might use them, there is concern about the collapse. there are various groups fighting. what will the rebels do? there is contact between the u.s. and the rebels on the ground, died in them as to how they should proceed -- guiding them as to how they should proceed, what to do about these weapons if they are in control. there is contingency planning with the american allies in the region about what to do if there is a collapse. it would involve moving in with troops, you would assume, to secure those weapons. >> as the conflict grinds on, there -- are there any signs of new thinking? >> a